Game apparatus



June 12, 1928.

2 Sheets-Sheet l Ffed May 19, 1927 1 bf MUN D .v d MN LN W. Q Lv l Q Y A-NSSI M .Il E 4 -Nswwlum w IJ blk (J \Tl| 1\,\ Ik Il) MAXIM/JANE Pes/w51.

ATTORNEY June 12, 1928. 1,673 705 M. E. PESNEL GAME APPARATUS Filed May 19, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 D Q K 3, n\ q il al? u, `l W 7 Q x; IH y N ik @A M '2li Q ik l r N D "1 i l I in S yz;

U l\ u INVENToR WITNESSES yh flqxfM/L/A/v E. PEs/v51.

ATTORNEY BY M.

Patented June 12, 1928.

'UNITED MAXIMILIAN E. PE'SNEL,

e GAME ArPanA'rUs.

Application filed May 19,

This invention relates to game apparatuses and comprehends an apparatus'by virtue of which a number of games may be played in addition to the'use of thedevice as a toy forthe amusement of children.l

Primarily the invention comprehends a game apparatus including i a Vplur'ality'of playing piecesor tokens preferably 'simulating miniature railway locomotives and cars, and a member or board having a surface formed with a plurality of `longitudinal guideways simulating railwayr tracks and diagonal communicatingr guideways extend ing between the longitudinal guideways and intersecting the same to simulate switches and in which guideways the playing pieces or tokens are movable7 togetherpwith elements constituting means adapted to seat in the guideways for blocking or completing the same to predetermine the path Vof move-v ment of the playing'pieces in said guideways'.

The invention further comprehends in a gaine apparatus as previously set forth, the

arrangement oit two laterally spaced reversely disposed identical groups'inwhich certain of the diagonal groups extend between the spaced groups to establish communication therebetween and in which one of the guideways of each group extends through the end of the member or board to constitute an outlet or goal through which the playing pieces may be removed or dispatched 'from the board via the guideways. Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of meansfor indicatingito the players the number ofn playing'pieces which may be accommodated between certain sub-divisions ofthe longitudinal guideways` defined by the intersecting or'diagonal guideways in predetermining thewmoveinent of the playing pieces.

As a further object the invention contemplates the construction of the switch elements and playing pieces. i

`The invention furthermore comprehends a game apparatus which is simple in construction7 inexpensive to manufacture and produce. and which is highly attractive and amusing in its use.

h the above recited Vand other objects 'w. reference is had to the following nation aud accompanying drawings in 1927. Serial No. 192,620.

which there is exhibited oneexample orem `bodiment of the invention, while the appendedclaims define the actual scope of the invention.

In the drawings- `Figure l isa plan View of the complete game board with the playing pieces and l`switches removed; 7

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sec-tional View taken 'approximately ou the line indiJ cated at 22`in Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlargedplan view with certain of the switches arranged in" place and illustrating the manner in which the playingpieces are moved through thek switches; i i

Fig;l Il is an enlarged fragmentary plan view withthe switch elements and playing pieces in set position for the starting of one of the games which maybe playedbyY means yof the apparatus; f i

Fig. `5 is a detail perspective view of one of the switch elements'removed;

Fig. 6 isa perspective view of one of the playing'pieces simulating a railway car;

`Fig. 7 is a similar view of one of the playing pieces simulating ay locomot-iv'el` Referring 'to `the"drawings characters of reference, l0 designates a rectangular playing board or member. the upper surface 'ofwhich'is provided with an arrangeitient of g'uideways defined in any desired manner whichy for the purpose of `illustration, assaines the form of grooves, although `it is to be understood that any equivalent means for defining the guidewaysfmaybe employed. The guidewaysoigrooves define longitudinal tracks ll" and diagonal` intersecting tracks 'l2 which establish jpcommu"ni'ca'tion between the longitudinal tracks. The vlongitudinal grooves, guideways or tracks 11 are of the same width or gage as the'di'agonal guidewaysty grooves or L tracls gli., and vthe 'playing surface or board is ypreferably 'provided withtwo laterally spaced Vgroups "or lsetsl of identicallivarranged but reversely positioned groups or sets of guideways or tracks,`w'hich yfor the purpose of convenience will be referred to as groups A. andl.

' The group A includes what will Ibe termed a. niain line track of," whichextendslcomplete- "through the opposite ends t'iftheplaving siii-tace.' The 'groujjjA also 'includes a loco lill motive storage track o and tive other longitudinal tracks c, al, e, f and g. The main line track o and the remaining tracks c, d, e, f and g ot the group A are equidistantly spaced apart, the spacing being preferably the width or gage of the tracks. The group A further includes a main diagonal guideway, groove or track it which extends from the locomotive storage track o to the track c, completely traversing or intersecting the remaining tracks of the group. The group A also includes a diagonal track. groove or guideway '1I which extends from the main line track a to the track c and parallel to the diagonal track z but spaced therefrom and intersecting the track o. The group A also includes an opposite angularly `disposed diagonal track j extending from the track f to the main line track a and intersecting the track e.

The group B includes what will be termed a main line track 1 which extends completely through the opposite ends ot the playing surface. The group B also includes a locomotive storage track Z and tive other longitudinal tracks m, n, o, p and Q. The main line track and the remaining tracks m, 71 0, j), and. q of the group B are equidistantly spaced apart, the spacing being preferably the width or gage of the tracks. The group B further includes a main diagonal guideway. groove or track r which extends trom the locomotive storage track Z to the track m completely traversing or intersecting the renxaining tracks ot the group. The group B also includes a diagonal track, groove or guideway .5 which extends from the main line track 1 to the track m and parallel to the diagonal track 7' but spaced therefrom and intersecting the track n. The group B also includes an opposite angularly disposed diagonal track t extending from the track p to the main line track lc and intersecting the track 0.

The group A includes a diagonal track, groove or guideway u, which extends from the track f to the locomotive storage track Z of the group B and intersecting the track g of the group A, said diagonal track u, extending in the same angular direction as the track The group B includes a diagonal groove, track or guideway o which extends from the locomotive storage track ot the group A to the track 71 of the group B, and intersecting the track t7. It will thus be seen that the diagonal tracks 11 and o are common to both groups and establish the only means of connnunication between the main groups A and B.

While the arrangement of tracks has been specifically hereinbetore described, and illustrated in the drawings, it is to be understood that such arrangement is subject to variation and that the invention is not necessarily restricted thereto, the arrangement be ing merely illustrative of one embodiment of the invention.

The game apparatus further includes a plurality of playing pieces or tokens 123, which in the present instance are representa tive of railway cars, and a plurality of playing pieces or tokens 14 representative of railway locomotives, each of which pieces or tokens includes a base of substantially dumbbell shape having a medial portion or shank 15 of less width than the gage or width oit the tracks and ends or heads 16 of substantially circular configuration. the diameters of which are approximately thc same as the width or gage ol the tracks.

The game apparatus further includes switch elements 17 of diamond shape and of a size which will tit either within the tracks or guideways 11 and 12 or within the space between the tracks or guideways. The under side ot' the switch elements 17 is provided with one or more depending lugs 1S while the board or member 10 within the guideways is provided with coi-respondn,"r openings or sockets 19 in the guidewavs 1l and 1Q adjacent the points ot intersection ot the guideways. The switch elements 17 are further provided with upstanding projections 2O constituting handles tor facilitating the handling of the switch pieces in placing or displacing them at the points dcsired. It is obvious from the showing in Fig. 3, that a switch element 17 when placed or fitted in one ot the diagonal tracks l2, closes that portion of the diagonal track and completes the space between two adjacent longitudinal tracks, while a switch piece 17 placed in a longitudinal track adjacent a diagonal track which intersects it. block-f the longitudinal track while completing thc diagonal track, and thus serves as a means for defining the path of movement of one or more of the playing pieces 1f) and 14 through the guideways. It will also be noted from this figure that the shape ol the base gives to each playing piece stability and prevents upsetting or lateral overthrowing of the playing piece if properly manipulated, whereas the restricted shank or central portion allows for the turning or switching otf of the playing pieces from a longitudinal track to a diagonal track. or vice versa. the circular ends co-operatiner with the side edges ot the grooves or guidtL ways to properly guide the playing piece.

In order to demonstrate one of the games which may be played and which tor the purpose of convenience will be called Yard masters, Fig. et illustrates approximately one-halt of a game board with the playing pieces or switches set up tor the start of the game. In playing this game, each player is provided with six trains, each of which includes one locomotive and six cars, each l lo tuting means adapted to be set in the guideways for respectively blocking and completing the same to predetermine the path of movement oit the playing pieces or tokens through .aid guideways.'

3. A game apparatus including a plurality of playing piecesor tokens and a member having a surface formed with a plurality of longitudinal guideways and diagonal guideways extending between the longitudinal guideways and intersecting the same for establishing communication therebetween and in which guideways the playing pieces or tokens are movable, and elements constituting means adapted to be set in the guideways for respectively blocking and completing the same to predetermine the path of movement of the playing pieces or tokens through said guideways, the said guideways disposed in two laterally spaced, reversely arranged groups with certain ot the diagonal guideways extending between the groups to establish intercommunication therebetween.

4f.. A game apparatus including a plurality of playing pieces or tokens and a member having a surface formed with a plurality of longitudinal guideways and diagonal guideways extending between the longitudinal guideways and intersecting the same for establishing communication therebetween and in which guideways the playing pieces or tokens are movable, and elements constituting means adapted to be set in the guideways for respectively blocking and completing the same to predetermine the path of movement of the playing pieces or tokens through said guideigtys, the said guideways disposed in two laterally spaced, reversely arranged identical groups with certain of the diagonal guideways extending between the groups` to establish' intercommunication therebetween.

5. A game apparatus including a plu ality of playing pieces or tokens and a member having a surface formed with a plurality of longitudinal guideways and diagonal guideways extending between the longitudinal guideways and intersecting the same for establishing communication therebetween and in which guideways the playing pieces or tokens are movable, and elements constituting means adapted to be set in the guideways for respectively blocking and completing the same to predetermine the path of movement of the playing pieces or tokens through said guidcways, the said guideways disposed in two laterally spaced, reversely arranged groups with certain of the diagonal guideways extending between the groups to establish intercommunication therebetween, one of the guidewa-ys of each group extending through the end of the member to constitute an outlet or goal through which the playing pieces or tokens may be dispatched from the playing surface.

6. A game apparatus including a plurality of playing pieces Lor tokens and a member having a surface formed with a plurality of longitudinal guideways and diagonal guideways extending between the longitudinal guideways and intersecting the same for establishing communication therebetween and in which guideways the playing pieces or tokens are movable, and elements constituting means adapted to be set in the guideways for respectively blocking and completing the same to predetermine the path of movement of the playing pieces or tokens through said guideways, the subdivisions of the longitudinal guideways defined between the intersecting guideways and between the ends of the longitudinal guideways and the intersecting diagonal guideways having indicia for tacilitating the players in determining the number ot playing pieces or tokens which will be accommodated in said sub-divisions.

7. A game apparatus including aplurality of playing pieces or tokens simulating railway locomotives and cars and a board having a playing surface formed with a plurality of longitudinal guideways simulating railway tracks and diagonal guidcways simulating switches extending between the longitudinal guideways and intersecting the same for establishing communication therebetween, the said guideways being adapted for the movement of the playing pieces over the playing surface, and elements constitutr ing means adapted to be Set in the guideways for respectively blocking and completing the same to predetermine the path of movement of the playing pieces or tokens in said guideways.

8. A game apparatus including a plurality of playing pieces 0r tokens and a board having a plurality of longitudinal and diagonal guideways, the latter intersecting the former and establishing communication therebetween for guiding the playing pieces or tokens in their movement over the board. and substantially diamond-shaped elements adapted for selective and removable emplacement in the guideways to predetermine the path of movement of the playing pieces or tokens therethrough.

9. A game apparatus including a plurality of playing pieces or tokens and a board having a plurality of longitudinal and diagonal guideways, the latter intersecting the former and establishing connnunication therebetween for guiding the playing pieces or tokens in their movement over the board, and substantially diamond-shaped elements adapted for selective and removable emplacement in the guideways to predetermine the path of movement of the playing pieces or tokens therethrough. the said elements and board having interengageable means for guiding the players in the emplacement of the elements with respect to llt the board and for retaining the same in emplaced relation.

l0. A game apparatus including a plurality ot playing pieces or tokens and a board having a plurality of longitudinal and diagonal guideways7 the latter intersecting the former and establishing communication therebetween 'for guiding the playing pieces or tokens in their movement over the board, and substantially diamondshaped elements adapted for selective and removable emplacement in the guideways to predetermine the path oi' movement of the playing pieces or tokens therethrough, the said elements and board having interengageable means :tor Guiding the players in the emplacement of the elements With respect to the board and for retaining the same in emplaced relation, said latter means including a pin-and-socket connection.

11.111 a game apparatus including a board7 a plurality of spaced approximately parallel guideways thereon and intersecting guideways establishing communication therebetween, token members or playing pieces movable in the guideways, said members consisting of a base having a shank portion of relatively narrower Width than the guideways and end portions oic substantially circular contiguration of a diameter approximately the same as `the Width of the guideways.

1Q. In a game apparatus including a board7 a plurality of spaced approximately parallel guideivays thereon and intersect ing guideirays establishing con'ni'iunication therebetween, and token members or playing pieces movable in the guideways, said members consisting ot a base having a shank portion of relatively narrower Width than the guideivays and end portions ot' substantially circular configuration of a diameter approximately the same as the Width of the guideways, the upper port-ion of said token members or playing pieces constituting a body simulating railway rolling stock.

MAXIMiLiAN E. Pia-SNEL.` 

